Axe Working Sites on Path Renewal Schemes, Cumbria: Archaeological Survey Report

An archaeological landscape survey was undertaken of five areas of footpath erosion/renewal (3100m in length) and associated stone picking areas (0.98km2 in extent) within the central Lake District, at Piers Gill, Wasdale (NY 21390 07921), Greta Gill, Wasdale (NY 21891 08551), Three Shires Stone to Wet Side Edge, Duddon (NY 27514 02410), Angle Tarn to Esk Hause, Great Langdale (NY 23676 08230) and Fairfield Summit, Grasmere (NY 36361 11654) by Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) at the request of the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) and The National Trust. The programme of work was intended to inform and guide forthcoming upland footpath conservation work and, specifically, to ensure that the winning of stone for nearby path repair does not affect any archaeological resource. The survey was undertaken as an enhanced identification survey, which entailed checking of existing LDNPA Historic Environment Record (HER) and National Trust Sites and Monument Records (SMR) records. It comprised systematic examination of the upland terrain and the identification and recording of the monuments using GPS.